Global statistics
Polio became pandemic shortly after the rise of the disease, and became globally endemic shortly after. After reaching such a critical status, today it has become almost completely eradicated. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Polio generally affects young children, usually under the age of five years old. About one in 200 infections result in irreversible paralysis, and 5% to 10% of paralytic Polio cases result in death due to immobilization of the diaphragm and other muscles that facilitate respiration. Since 1988, Polio has decreased over 99% globally, from about 350,000 cases to 416 cases reported. The disease was endemic in more than 125 countries in 1988, and since then is only considered endemic in 3 countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan) (2014).